Wednesday, February 1, 2017

Public Health Alert: Potential Measles Exposure in Hudson County

Contact A Health Care Provider If You Suspect Exposure

The New Jersey Department of Health has confirmed a case of measles — a highly contagious disease — in a Hudson County adult male who may have exposed individuals at several public places in Jersey City between January 16-24, 2017. The individual acquired measles while traveling abroad and is recovering at home.

DOH recommends that anyone who visited the locations during the dates/times listed below, contact a health provider immediately to discuss potential exposure and risk of developing the illness. An individual who may have been exposed could develop symptoms as late as February 14, 2017. Measles symptoms include rash, high fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes.

Anyone who suspects an exposure is urged to call a health care provider before going to a medical office or emergency room. Special arrangements can be made for you to be evaluated while also protecting other patients and medical staff from possible infection.

Anyone who hasn’t been vaccinated or has not had measles is at risk if they are exposed to the virus. "Two doses of measles vaccine is more than 99 percent effective in preventing measles,” said Dr. Christina Tan, state epidemiologist.

“We urge everyone to check to make sure they and their family members are up-to-date on measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) vaccine and all other age-appropriate immunizations. Getting vaccinated not only protects you, it protects others around you who are too young to get the vaccine or can’t receive it for medical reasons. If you’re planning an international trip, the World Health Organization recommends that adults or adolescents unsure of their immune status get a dose of measles vaccine before traveling,” Dr. Tan added.

Measles is easily spread through the air when an infected person talks, coughs or sneezes. People can also get sick when they come in contact with mucus or saliva from an infected person.

Measles can cause serious complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis (swelling of the brain) in 20 percent of patients, especially children under 5 and adults older than 20. Measles infection in a pregnant woman can lead to miscarriage, premature birth or a low-birth weight baby.

DOH is working with the Jersey City Department of Health and Human Services to identify the patient’s known contacts.